Trains Go

December 12, 2011
Light returns to the format of his 2008 Trucks Go in a stylish board book with a squat, wide trim size that mimics its subject matter: trains of all varieties. Two things vie for attention in each spread: Light’s blithe, loose watercolor portraits of the trains that speed across the pages, and the boisterous noises that each of the trains makes, which appear in big, brightly colored fonts. A vintage blue and black streamliner goes “wo wooo woooooo,” a TGV-speed train whooshes past, and an old steam train makes a “clang, clang, clang, toot toot!” Each of Light’s trains has a distinct personality, and locomotive lovers will clang, chug, and puff along with them as they make their way along the tracks. Up to age 3.

Starred review from July 1, 2012
There's more than just "choo-choo" along this track. Eight different trains capture attention with their dramatic sounds. The engines (from the freight to the diesel) exude an exuberant variety of "bings," "wo woos" and "zoooshes" as their speed intensifies. Onomatopoeia distinguishes one example from the next; the old steam train "toots" along while the big steam train "chuggas" with a vengeance. For all the apparently straightforward approach, Light indulges in some sly whimsy, too. Echoing the Billy Goats Gruff and repeating for emphasis, the "mountain train goes, / TRIP TRAP FUFF PUFF / TRIP TRAP FUFF PUFF / TRIP TRAP FUFF PUFF/ TRIP TRAP FUFF PUFF!" The elongated pages allow each train to stretch out magisterially. People take a back seat to the machines; the occasional conductor remains a distant and darkened figure. Variations in font accent each pointed syllable. Frantic lines push the cars to a formidable speed, and loose watercolor splashes explode with visual intensity. Sheer, fabulous power. (Board book. 1-3)

COPYRIGHT(2012) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

March 1, 2012

PreS-K-Powerful trains travel over elongated pages in this lively board book. The simple story line will appeal to preschoolers and follows a procession of seven types of trains and a caboose. Each one has its own spread and produces a unique sound. Young listeners will hear the "SQUEAK CLANG TING BING BING BING" of the freight train and the "TRIP TRAP FUFF PUFF" of the mountain train. On repeated readings, children can join in on these repetitive lines and replicate the sounds. Placement of the energetic text varies, giving the book a sense of motion. Watercolor artwork is eye-catching and can be easily seen by children seated in small groups. Plenty of white space surrounds heavy black-line tracks and boldly colored cars. Details emphasize the shapes of different trains. Packaged similarly to Light's Trucks Go (Chronicle, 2008), Trains Go is a worthy addition to toddler/preschool transportation lessons.-Lynn Vanca, Freelance Librarian, Akron, OH

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.